San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-07-12

Doth Wltnln doors ana u leJ Wlthal,
| there was such lack Of Judgment on the
1 part Of father Spriggins in his management
| that Mr.. Moore, who commenced life with a
more moderate fortune, had far surpassed
/ him in the accumulation of wealth; and the
active, red-headed Misses Spriggins were
not to be compared with the pretty Ethel
Moore, who, il they surpassed her in actiy-
| ity, gave entire satisfaction 10 the inmates OF
her home, who seemed TO say: Live only
that we may love YOU"
Ethel although not required 10 do labor
ious work. was really useful, studious, and
amiable, and not by any means des-
tined to be a cumberer in life. She was a
romantic child, with vivid, poetic magma
ton, fond of books, eagerly perusing any
reading matter chance put in her way, until
her head was filled with all kinds OF ro-
nance and visions and singular ideas. She
dTeamt of fairies, knights OF armOr, and
grand ladies rescued from cruel bondage by
brave warriors, until she was scarcely In
harmony with her practical surroundings.
1t was the intention of Mr.. Moore 10 send
her to Philadelphia to school as soon as she
reached the age Of fourteen, TO remain for a
period of four years. This time was now
near at hand, and preparations were being
rapidly pushed forward for her departure.
The residence Of Mr.. Moore was a COM
Portable twO-StOTied stone, whose white walls
nestled prettily amidst graceful elms. A
broad lawn slOped down to the public road
in front. an orchard lay to the right, whilst
the grounds behind the house swept back to
the meadow lands beyond. The long mea-
dow to the left which was some distance
from the house, was divided by shallow
valley, through which brook threaded its
way as if by stealth. One large walnut tree
made a shade, by the stream, where the cattle
that grazed in the meadow during the day
sought refuge from the MONDAY sun. There,
in the evenings frequently could be seen a
light blue haze, floating its vapOry mantle
over the bog that lay in the center of the
meadow, focused by bright, dancing star,
which sparkled and glmmered over the stag
nant pools in the swamp. This scene was
great mystery to Ethel, and the vapOr in the
swamp, so wierd and ellish looking, filed
her childish Imagination with the most won
derful pictures and mysterious cOnjectures.
How she longed to explore the spot, to 90
and examine it. and was only prevented by
her dread of encOuntering some strange
phantom from the mystic land.
A few nights previous to her departure
she arose, as was her CUSTOM when all the
inmates of her home were wrapped in slum-
Der, TO see if the vapOr and the star were
still there. She had made up her mind, no
matter what the result would be, to go and
explore it, for she could not 90 away from
home for so long time with the mystery
unexplained.
1t was clear, calm midsummer night;
the harvest moon shOne in unusual splcndOr
over orchard and meadow. the stars glim-
mered dmly in the brilliant light of their
regal queen; great stacks of hay were heap.
ed up ready TO be gathered in by the har-
vesters next day, and the scent of its fra
GRANGE perfumed the mild, evening air. The
vapOr tOated in luminous cloud over the
swamp whilst the star of the mist cleaned
through it uncOmmOnly brilliant.
Ethel sat down by the open window and
leaned out, gazing at the my stery. She
wanted to 60 yet was held back with a ner
vOuS dread of going alone, and was afraid
to ask anyone to accompany her, for fear
she would be laughed at and called vision
airy and foolish, which had sometimes been
the case when she had spoken Of some of
her romantic cUnjrcturcS and fairy visions.
She was 50 long IN getting up her courage
that sleep OvCrramc her. During her slum.
bers she had a strange dream which helped
to carry out at once on awakening, her reso-
luton to investigate the mystery of the mea-
dow. She dreamed that she went TO the
brook, near the walnut tTe" where the mist
thOated like pale shimmCry cloud in the
moonlight, and in the midst of it stood
tall, graceful creature, whose gauZe-like
drapery was formed from the fimy shrOud
that arose from the swamp. Her head was
adorned by golden cuTls, which covered it
10 hnIn aud I'LL.
the mOOnbeamS; the star had assembled, and
shOne in brilliant splendOr in the middle of
her forehead. Her large violet eyes, with
their calm, clear light, were fixed on Ethel,
and half smile played over her perfect fea-
lures. On the other side of the brook stood
a deer, which had come to the stream from
the distant woods to drink, and stood with
dilated eyes gazing at the vision. Ethel
stretched out her hands and advanced to-
wards the beautiful etin creature, slowly at
first, but faster and faster as her anxiety and
excitement increased. She went on and on,
ever increasing, but never getting nearer the
beautiful lady, who. although never appear
ing to move, kept always at The same dis
lance before her. At last overcome with her
eager anxiety she awOke
She looked out over the mOOnIit meadow;
there was the siIycry, Heating cloud, and in
the midst, mete0r-Iike, the star The lady
must surely be there, thought Ethel, in her
excitement. She would delay no longer,
but 20 now and see. A slight, nervous
dread made her hesitate for few moments.
however. Finally SummOning her courage
she hastily dressed and LETT the house, leav-
ing the door unlocked 50 that she might re-
turn without being discovered When she
reached the backward Carlo. the hOuse-dOg,
gave low bark, then approached, and after
being pattcd by his mistress, followed in ST.
lence, wagging his tIil She fastened
through the shadOwy walks, on to the mea-
dOw-land beyond. How beautiful was the
scene! Grand in its midnight sOlitudel
Ethels heart beat with joy aJ the prospect
before her. She thought the dream had
come to encourage her, and give her an idea
of the beautiful lady there waiting to make
her acquaintance. Perhaps it was an angel
who had wondered from the mystic land for
little while or some fairy that had come
from some cave in faiTyland and was reign,
ing queen over the place. How should she
Introduce herself, and how approach? She
formed several pretty speeches in her mind
as she hurried on.
She followed the brook at first carefully
picking her way through the Shiny, little
pools that intersperSed the grass, over some
of which large scales appeared to float,
while Others were entirely covered with a
rank-lOOking, green crust which here and
there the moonlight frightened with phOs-
phOrescent splendOr.
Ethel at first was cautious where she
walked, but becoming more and more ex-
off cd q eli n anf ft,h s,,. IL, e.